Responding to the NHS Staff Survey results, Saffron Cordery, deputy chief executive at NHS Providers said: 

"The survey reveals important progress has been made but the NHS still has a long way to go. It's very worrying that a significant proportion of staff, especially healthcare assistants and nursing and ambulance staff, report being the target of unwanted sexual behaviour from colleagues, patients, their families and the public.

"More organisations have signed up to NHS England's Sexual Safety Charter, but much more needs to be done to address this issue and keep staff safe. It's also deeply distressing that frontline staff have faced record levels of discrimination from the public. All staff should be treated with dignity and respect.

"Trusts' efforts to create better working conditions have helped raise staff morale, with fewer health workers considering leaving and more recommending the NHS as a place to work. However, this is still below pre-pandemic levels.

"Similarly, while pay satisfaction has increased for some, it remains below 2019 levels for all staff groups. It's vital the government and unions resolve their ongoing pay disputes to end the disruptive strikes. Work-related stress also continues to impact a significant proportion of staff. The cut to national funding for staff wellbeing hubs is hugely disappointing as it takes away vital mental health support.

"While it's encouraging to see fewer instances of harassment, bullying, and abuse reported, this behaviour shouldn't be happening at all.

"Trust leaders will be very concerned that staff confidence in raising concerns about unsafe clinical practices is at a five-year low. It is essential staff feel free to speak up and work in a psychologically safe environment.

"While more staff are reporting confidence in their organisation addressing concerns, further action is needed to ensure patients get the safe, high-quality care they deserve. It's also troubling to see persistent concerns around equality and diversity, as shown by persistent gaps in experiences among different demographic groups. Trusts are working hard to tackle staff discrimination and ensure equal opportunities.

"More work is needed to ensure the NHS remains an attractive place to work for current and future staff. Addressing these findings will require a redoubling of efforts across the sector, on a local and national level, to ensure the wellbeing and satisfaction of NHS staff, who are vital to delivering high-quality care to patients."